STOP WHOLE FOODS IN SOUTH BURLINGTON

[buffalobills]

We are forming a group to stop the development of Whole Foods in South Burlington.

Our community doesn't need an anti-union, anti-health care reform mega corporation right in Chittenden County.

We need South Burlington residents to help with this effort.

If interested, please reply to this post and we will follow up.

Thanks you, and let's keep Chittenden County LOCAL!

[siliconghost]

We are forming a group to stop the development of Whole Foods in South Burlington.

Our community doesn't need an anti-union, anti-health care reform mega corporation right in Chittenden County.

We need South Burlington residents to help with this effort.

If interested, please reply to this post and we will follow up.

Thanks you, and let's keep Chittenden County LOCAL!

I don't think this is a very good idea.
Sorry.

[tonyo]

I fully agree.  Unions do not create jobs, they simply collect dues and protect bottom feeders.  I witnessed this first hand as a member of Teamsters Local 294.  Competition and Capitalism are the backbone of this nation, not entitlement and union protection.  And by the way, check out the type of cars "Buy Local" bumper stickers are on: Hondas, Subarus, Toyotas, etc.  Kind of hypocritical don't you think   I can't wait to see th e"do-gooders" out picketing Whole Foods for some ridiculous reason.  I for one will be crossing that picket line !!

[Morganna]

It is only because of the unions in this country that we even -have- a minimum wage, that the work week is 40 hours, and that the average person isn't subject to slave wages.  The collective bargaining process gives a voice to those who would not otherwise have a single bit of leverage to ensure their basic needs are being met.

How about we talk about food now?

[tonyo]

The state governments, not unions, control wages.  Not to beat a dead horse, but do you sincerely believe that unions are solely responsible for fair work conditions and the avoidance of "slave wages" ??  I hope you have more faith in American business than that !  In my experience, union employees are by far, much unhappier than nonunion employees.  Granted there may be exceptions, but I find most union employees are more concerned about the ongoing quest for "fairness" than actually performing on a high level.  As a result, the do the bare minimum as they know raises are based on tenure, not performance.  The degree of crime in unions would put AIG to shame !  I have never understood concepts like "overtime": let's pay someone "more" when they are exhausted from their shift and less productive and by the way, make sure you ask everyone in order of seniority if they want the OT because that makes much more sense than giving the hours to the person that is most qualified or efficient.  I have worked in restaurants that have unionized staffs.  Waiters refuse to bus tables because "it is not THEIR job".  Firing someone is nearly impossible because of union protection.  If you treat your employees fairly (yes, I know that is a BIG "IF") , they have no reason to unionize.  If you don't, shame on you and be prepared to deal with grievances and arbitrations while your competition is taking care of your soon to be former customers.

P.S. The cafe at the rail station in Waterbury has some great grab and go lunch items prepared by Michael's on the Hill.

[mailgirl]

I am in a union and I am not a bottom feeder.  I work hard.  Now... on to the discussion about WHole Foods...

[lolo]

I can't wait for Whole Foods to come to South Burlington! We can have a Wal-mart but we are going to protest Whole Foods?  wow.

[lolo]

I can't wait for Whole Foods to come to South Burlington! We can have a Wal-mart but we are going to protest Whole Foods?  wow.

On that note, BRING TARGET TO VERMONT!!!!!!!

[tonyo]

Target should be taking over one of the Lowes within the next 12 months (likely to be teh Shelburne Road store).

[lolo]

Tonyo - don't tease    
What is your source? I am literally doing a happy dance thinking of this possibility and NOT having to take the Ferry to NY to avoid Wal Mart!

[tonyo]

Lowe's has some type of corporate policy about not having more than one store within a designated area.  I have heard (quality of source unsure) that Target is looking at the South Burlington location.  This could be BS but it seems to make some sense.   

[dtp123]

Most of the farmers I talk to welcome the idea of another local outlet to sell their product. While it is true that not all the money spent at whole foods would stay in VT. It would create jobs and competition for the coops, whose prices go unchecked alot of the time. If there were a larger market for locally raised products it might create a larger demand for more processing facilities. Which this state is seriously lacking. In Maine you can buy raw milk at whole foods. With the persuasion of Whole Foods the VT legislature might allow raw milk to be sold in stores here to. Thus creating a new outlet for dairy farmers to sell milk without having to go into the commodity market, which is crippling our dairy industry. Maybe Whole Foods isn't so bad?